You must be an approved training body ( ATB ) with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency ( DVSA ) to provide: compulsory basic training ( CBT ) for learner motorcyclists direct access scheme ( DAS ) training to riders learning to ride a large motorcycle CBT and DAS training must be given by instructors certified by DVSA working for your approved training body. The sites you use to provide training from must also be approved by DVSA . The process is different Northern Ireland .

Rules for being an ATB

You must meet certain rules to be an approved training body ( ATB ). ‘Fit and proper’ You must be a ‘fit and proper’ person to run the ATB . You must have passed a criminal record check . When deciding if you’re a ‘fit and proper’ person, DVSA will look at if you have: had any convictions in the last 4 years any motoring convictions been disqualified from driving any penalty points on your licence any court proceedings pending against you Training You must provide compulsory basic training (CBT) as an ATB. Any CBT and direct access scheme (DAS) courses you provide must meet the legal requirements. The CBT syllabus and guidance notes gives full details on what must be provided. An instructor is only allowed to supervise up to 2 trainees during on-road tuition. Your instructors must be in radio contact with all trainees at all times during on-road tuition. Training sites You must have the use of a suitable site or sites for training in the off-road parts of the CBT course. These sites must be authorised by DVSA before they’re used. Instructors You must make sure that all your instructors: have a valid instructor certificate for the type of training they give - this must show the name of your ATB have passed a criminal record check if they’re applying for or renewing their training certificate At least 1 of your instructors must have successfully completed DVSA’s assessment course for motorcycle training . DVSA -assessed instructors are allowed to train other people that you want to appoint as instructors - this is known as ‘down-training’. You should have at least 1 DVSA -assessed instructor for every 10 instructors that have been down-trained. Monitoring You should send all required information about the courses you provide to DVSA including: reporting any incidents dates when you’re providing CBT courses the CBT certificates of completion you issue The ATB manual gives more details about what you have to send.

Apply to become an ATB

To apply to register an approved training body ( ATB ), download these 3 application forms, and send them to DVSA: ‘Application to provide compulsory basic training (CBT) courses’ ‘Compulsory basic training (CBT) site application form’ ‘Application to be authorised as a certified motorcycle instructor’ CBT Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 1 Unity Square Nottingham NG2 1AY It takes up to 8 weeks to process an application. This includes the time to inspect the site to be used for the off-road elements of compulsory basic training.

Apply for CBT site authorisation

All the sites you intend to use for the practical training and riding elements of the compulsory basic training ( CBT ) course must be authorised by DVSA . You can’t use a site until you’ve got authorisation from DVSA. Download the compulsory basic training site application form to apply for authorisation. Send the completed form to DVSA . You’ll also need to include a draft plan of the intended site, eg an annotated satellite image. CBT Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 1 Unity Square Nottingham NG2 1AY Site inspection DVSA will: inspect the site send a site report to you send a unique site code to you if the site is suitable The site report will explain any rules set by DVSA . This will include how many trainees are allowed on the site. You should make sure all your instructors are aware of these details. Changes to authorised sites You must tell DVSA straight away if a site is altered or added to. Download the compulsory basic training site application form and send it to DVSA . You’ll also need to include: a draft plan showing any changes to the original authorised site a permission letter signed by the site owner CBT Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 1 Unity Square Nottingham NG2 1AY The site’s authorisation can be removed if it has become unsuitable. Stopping using a site You must tell DVSA straight away if you stop using a site for CBT . You can email DVSA - you’ll need to include your approved training body number and the site’s unique code. DVSA CBT team \ cbt@dvsa.gov.uk

Providing the CBT course

The compulsory basic training ( CBT ) course is made up of 5 parts. The course syllabus and the order in which the parts must be delivered is set out in law. CBT certificate of completion You must give trainees a CBT certificate of completion (DL196) when they reach the required standard. The certificate must be completed and signed by the instructor, usually the one who conducted part E of the CBT course. The name and address of your approved training body ( ATB ) should be included on the certificate. Ordering DL196 certificates You can buy books of DL196 certificates online from DVSA . Each book contains 25 certificates and costs £200.

How your ATB is monitored

DVSA monitors the standard of instruction given by: approved training bodies ( ATBs ) instructors delivering compulsory basic training ( CBT ) courses You must make your instructors available for regular standards checks . You should tell your local DVSA CBT manager the dates and times when your ATB will be running CBT courses. After an assessment You’ll get a letter of confirmation and report from DVSA after an assessment visit if the training delivered meets the required standard. DVSA can conduct more assessments if: the training falls short of the required standard there are breaches of regulations there are reports of failure to follow the conditions of appointment DVSA will consider withdrawing an instructor’s authority to deliver courses if they fail to achieve the required standard during the subsequent assessments. DVSA can withdraw your ATB’s authorisation to deliver training courses if assessments show that it doesn’t consistently provide full and proper CBT courses. Disagreeing with DVSA ’s decision You can appeal to DVSA if you or an instructor disagrees with DVSA ’s decision to withdraw their authority. Chief Driving Examiner Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency 1 Unity Square Nottingham NG2 1AY

DVSA produces the following documents for approved training bodies ( ATBs ). ATB manual The ATB manual gives more details about the rules and processes you should follow when you’re running an ATB . Safe and Responsible Riding The ‘National standard for riding mopeds and motorcycles’ sets out the skills, knowledge and understanding that learners need to prove they’re safe and responsible riders. Compulsory basic training ( CBT ) syllabus and guidance notes The CBT syllabus and guidance notes sets out what trainers need to do and what learners need to understand when taking the course. Direct access scheme ( DAS ) motorcycle training guidance The DAS motorcycle training guidance sets out what trainers need to do and what learners need to understand when taking the course. Changes to the CBT syllabus and guidance notes You can keep up to date with new versions if you sign up for DVSA email alerts .

Set up and run a motorcycle approved training body (ATB)

Overview

You must be an approved training body (ATB) with the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) to provide:

compulsory basic training (CBT) for learner motorcyclists
direct access scheme (DAS) training to riders learning to ride a large motorcycle

CBT and DAS training must be given by instructors certified by DVSA working for your approved training body.

The sites you use to provide training from must also be approved by DVSA.

The process is different Northern Ireland.

View a printable version of the whole guide

Set up and run a motorcycle approved training body (ATB)

Overview

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Set up and run a motorcycle approved training body (ATB)

Overview

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